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Five of this year’s top reads to get your book-loving pals for Christmas

Picking books for someone else is difficult! Usually I don’t give someone a book I’ve not read myself unless it’s my Mum and I really want to read it after her. But these are some of the books that look great that came out this year that I want to read, and that I don’t think you could go far wrong with. You’ll at least look like you know what’s going on with books.

1. The Miniaturist, Jessie Barton

The concept of this book is something to do will a dollhouse reflecting what is going on in real life. There was a lot of buzz about it this year, and the cover art is stunning – in every version I’ve seen. It won the Waterstones Book of the Year last week.

2. The Sleeper and the Spindle, Neil Gaiman

Gaiman is always fantastic, and my favourite of his things are when he tackles fairy tales or the fairy tale style. He manages to subvert and celebrate the tropes at the same time with bewitching and beautiful stories that draw you in. This came out this year, and I think it’s going to be brilliant.

3. The Narrow Road to the Deep North, Richard Flanagan

I don’t know much about this except I really like the title and it won the Man Booker prize. The synopsis I have read didn’t give much away but found it fascinating. It would make a great present!

4. All the birds, singing, Evie Wyld

I really wanted to read this but haven’t yet. Stunning cover art, won a load of awards and contains a story about Jack who lives alone in the British countryside and something is attacking her sheep. Somehow their blurb made that sound much more exciting than mine did…

5. The Bone Clocks, David Mitchell

Mitchell’s writing is bold, experimental and captivating. I read Cloud Atlas and was almost overwhelmed by the crazy structure and compelling grip of each story strand – and I want to get my hands on this book! It’s had a load of critical acclaim. Great gift!

Have you read any of these? What did you think? Any other books you’d put on the list?